As a former Marine schooled in the art of military tactics at the U.S. Naval Academy, Tom O’Brien knows that it’s not always a good idea to charge into a battle with guns a-blazing.

Sometimes it’s best to just sit back and wait for the ambush, especially when the upcoming fight is on the opposition’s home turf.

That’s why the N.C. State football coach has taken an unusually low-key approach to Saturday’s annual football showdown with arch-rival North Carolina. After five straight wins in the series, the last thing O’Brien wants to do is give the Tar Heels any more incentive than they already have.

So he decided not to bring in any inspirational guest speakers to practice or resort to using any high-profile motivational tricks like his counterpart Larry Fedora did by decorating UNC’s locker room in Wolfpack red.

O’Brien didn’t even take the bait Thursday when a reporter asked him about his role in last summer’s high-profile “Our State” advertising campaign.

“I just follow what I’m told to do,” he said. “I’m a good soldier. Well, actually, a good Marine.”

Just because O’Brien’s rhetoric leading into Saturday’s game at Kenan Stadium has been much less contentious than in seasons past, especially last year when he verbally sparred with interim UNC coach Everett Withers about everything from academic integrity to which school is actually the “flagship” of the state’s university system, it doesn’t mean the rivalry is any less important him.

Things have simply progressed to the point in which his players no longer need to be reminded about who they’re playing and how much it means to everyone associated with the Wolfpack to beat the dreaded Tar Heels.

Earl Wolff intercepts a pass in front of UNC's Erik Highsmith during last year's game in Raleigh

“It’s hard to play this game and not know that,” O’Brien said earlier in the week. “That’s what we talk about early in this thing is that there’s certain games that are special because of all the influence on the outside looking in.

“No matter where you go or what you do, whether it’s in the social media or whether it’s on campus, that’s all that’s going to be talked about, and that’s the way a game against North Carolina is for North Carolina State.”

The more talk, however, the higher the expectations. The higher the expectations, the greater the pressure.

While there will certainly be pressure on UNC to break its longest losing streak ever against State, there figures to be even more on the Wolfpack – not only to extend its winning ways against the Tar Heels, but to stay in the driver’s seat for the Atlantic Division title and a trip to the ACC Championship Game in December.

In an effort to lesson the load on their players’ shoulders and minds, O’Brien and his staff have put an emphasis on looking forward rather than back, especially since UNC is starting over fresh with a new coach and new offensive system.

“It’s 0-0 right now with that coaching staff and this rivalry,” sophomore running back Tony Creecy said. “We can’t depend on hat happened in the past. We’ve got to write our own history.”

One thing hasn’t changed despite State’s recent success against the Tar Heels is the Las Vegas line. For the sixth straight year, the Wolfpack will go into Saturday’s game as an underdog.

Of course, neither team is coming in off its best performance.

Both the Wolfpack and Tar Heels may have gotten caught looking ahead last week in their games against Maryland and Duke. The only difference is that State escaped with a win when a last-second field goal by the Terps bounced off an upright while the Tar Heels gave up a decisive touchdown with 13 seconds remaining to suffer a heart-breaking defeat.

The Wolfpack has had plenty to celebrate during its five-game winning streak against the rival Tar Heels

How each team bounces back from those less-than-memorable performances is yet to be seen. But if the past five years are any indication, the Wolfpack will be ready.

“If you can’t get hyped for the Carolina game you shouldn’t even walk on the field that day,” said senior safety Earl Wolff, who like everyone else on State’s roster, has never lost to UNC. “That’s the way we feel. That’s the way everybody feels.”

With or without inspirational guest speakers or high-profile motivational tricks.